Know More About Stainless Steel Composition

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron. It is known for its resistance to rusting and corrosion. There are several versions of stainless steel. They all have different compositions. In this blog, we will talk about the composition of stainless steel.

May 22, 2023

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron. It is known for its resistance to rusting and corrosion. There are several versions of stainless steel. They all have different compositions. In this blog, we will talk about the composition of stainless steel.

Composition of Stainless Steel

Stainless steel composition depends upon the variant of steel. There are various versions of stainless steel. It is divided into 4 main categories. These categories are Austenitic, Ferritic, Duplex, and Martensitic. There are subdivisions under these categories.

Stainless Steel Composition

1. SS 303 Austenitic steel bar is comprised of Chromium, Nickel, and other elements. 8% to 10% nickel, 17% to 19% chromium, 1% silicon, 2% manganese, 1% molybdenum, and 0.06 phosphorous is mixed with iron to create SS 303 Austenitic steel bar.

Element Composition (%)
Chromium 17%–19%
Nickel 8%–10%
Silicon 1%
Manganes 2%
Molybdenum 1%
Phosphorous 0.6%
Iron Balance

2. Stainless steel 304 is one of the most versatile types of stainless steel. This is the reason why it is widely used and has several applications. According to portals, it is widely used in applications like sinks and saucepans. Here is the stainless steel composition of SS 304:

Element Percentage (%)
Carbon 0.7%
Chromium 17.50% to 19.50%
Manganese 2.00%
Silicon 1.00%
Phosphorous 0.045%
Sulfur 0.015%
Nickel 8.00%–10.50%
Nitrogen 0.10%
Iron Balamce

3. Stainless steel 309 is a type of stainless steel used in various applications. It has high corrosion resistance than other types of steel. It also has great strength compared to SS 304. Here is the stainless steel composition of SS 309:

Element Percentage (%)
Iron 60%
Chromium 23%
Nickel 14%
Manganese 2%
Silicon 1%
Carbon 0.20%
Phosphorus 8.045%
Sulfur 0.030%

The composition of stainless steel changes from type to type. However, the basic composition of stainless steel remains almost the same. Iron is the base element used in the making of stainless steel. Chromium, Nickel, and carbon are also some elements that are widely used in the making of stainless steel.

Stainless steels are alloys that do not corrode. This is because there are several metals used in the alloy that make it non-corrosive. Stainless steel is also very durable. This is one of the main reasons that stainless steel has several applications. It is widely used and is a dependable alloy. Stainless steel alloy is also quite ductile. Depending on the version of steel, the electrical conductivity of this alloy changes. The stainless steel alloy can be formed in various shapes. It can be turned into sheets and bars.

Stainless steel has great corrosive resistant properties even under a wide range of atmospheric conditions. Some versions of stainless steel may undergo corrosion when it is used in an environment with warm chloride. At Shalco Industries, we provide various types of stainless steel. We provide austenitic, ferritic, duplex, and martensitic types of stainless steel.

Stainless steel may get cracks due to corrosion above 60 degrees Celcius. The characteristics of stainless steel are highly impressive. Stainless steel has forming and welding properties. It gets oxidation-resistant properties due to the addition of chromium. Stainless steel has good toughness even in cryogenic temperatures.

Stainless steel is generally used in many manufacturing processes and various applications. The main reason behind this is the fact that stainless steel has a wide range of properties. Depending on the grade of the stainless steel, it is used for a variety of household and industrial applications. The top 10 usages of stainless steel include food and catering, offshore technology, seawater desalination plants, chemical industries, the making of bridges, storage tanks, construction, power plants, and shipbuilding industries.